Exact equipment details vary through the years. But at its height, it was about two coaches(more on weekends), two sleepers and one slumbercoach. (oh yeah and a mail car or to) on a regular basis. Many years ago there was a dome observation lounge ADDED in Atlanta to go to NOL.
I do not remember the diner as such being dropped in ATL . HOWEVER, there have been times when the Crescent only operated three days a week south of ATL. SO that could cause one to think the diner was getting dropped, I think. When there was a Gulf Breeze, the diner stayed with the Crescent below BHM and the lounge went with the Gulf Breeze to Mobile . But the diner, as such, being dropped in ATL, I don't think so. But one could easily remember seeing the whole train dropped in ATL, on those days it not go further south.
I do not remember the exact years the NY-ATL cars were dropped.
I have fond memories of looking out from the MARTA train, between Arts Cent and Lindbergh station tryng to spot the cars laying over in the yard..
I recall they would be brought into the station northbound about 30 minutes before it was expected.
I also remember when I would be a passenger coming north from NOL watching out the windows to see the ATL-NY cars waiting on a siding to be added. That told me we were very, very close to the station.
Finally, many people traveled coach during the day from NOL and intermediate stops and boarded their sleeper in ATL. So, those ATl sleepers wre not just for folks living n ATL. BUt all south of same. There used tobe just one through sleeper all the way from NYC to NOL.